The Cursed Leveler (A GxG Story)

Chapter Four: Wyleria Royal Academy

The cobblestone streets of the kingdom's bustling downtown stretched out before me as I made my way through the lively chaos. The sunlight painted intricate patterns with the leaves of the ancient oaks that lined the thoroughfare. I had a mission today, one that held the promise of a fresh start.

Two days had passed since my encounter with the spine-serpent, and I was already at level 15 with a few new skills at my disposal. I felt that I was finally ready for my impending academy life. My fingertips tingled with anticipation as I approached the academy outfitters, knowing that beyond those doors was the first step to the beginning of my academy life.

As I entered the shop, the scent of old leather and parchment enveloped me like a warm embrace. The navy-and-silver uniform, however, felt like a foreign costume compared to my usual attire. The downside to all of this is that now my pants would be replaced with a skirt during my student hours. Yet, it was a ticket to freedom, an escape from the stifling world of aristocratic demands and my father's well-meaning but overbearing protection.

This errand wasn't just about a uniform; it was about seizing the opportunity to breathe on my own terms, to learn magic and wield a sword with the same skill that had been reserved for knights and princes. Today, I wasn't just picking up a uniform; I was picking up the pieces of a destiny I was ready to craft for myself.

As I emerged from the outfitters, clutching my neatly wrapped academy uniform, I couldn't help but dread the impending conversation with my now father. Predictably, he had caught wind of what had occurred on my little escapades into the town and forest from the past few days, and his stern face was a telltale sign of the lecture that awaited me. He stood there, his dark eyes fixed on mine, arms folded across his chest.

"Sasha," he began, his voice laced with concern and frustration,

"I've told you time and time again to be more mindful of your safety. You're the daughter of the Duke, and there are those who would exploit any vulnerability." I suppressed an eye-roll and nodded, not wanting to provoke him further. His worry was genuine, I knew that. But it was his next words that felt like a slap in the face.

"You've been acting strangely ever since your accident," he continued, his tone softening slightly.

"You should know the importance of keeping up your ladylike appearance, especially now that you're engaged." Engaged. The word hung in the air like a heavy, suffocating cloud. I glanced down at my academy uniform, suddenly aware of the gaping chasm between the life I desired and the one that had been carved in place for the role of Sasha Everett.

"Acting too tomboyish could cause your fiancé to reconsider," he added, his gaze unwavering. I couldn't help but bristle at the notion that I had to mold myself into something I wasn't to keep a man's affections. But my father's words were a reminder of the cage I had been born into, the expectations that threatened to smother me.

The realization echoed through my mind like a distant memory, a detail I had all but forgotten in the whirlwind of my recent experiences. Yes, my fiancé—the youngest prince of the royal family, kind and understanding, a comforting presence in this world of magic and mystery.

Yet, as the gravity of my situation sank in, I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency, a need to protect myself from the 'The Ultimate Level''s looming narrative. The relationships and entanglements of that original storyline had caused enough turmoil, and I was determined not to be swept up in their complex web. If I got too close to any of the main cast, my involvements could prove disastrous, especially with the knowledge of the story's inevitable tragedies.

With a heavy heart and a newfound resolve, I decided that distancing myself from my fiancé as well was the safest course of action. Survival in this treacherous realm had to be my priority, and attachments to characters from the web comic, no matter how sweet and understanding, felt like potential vulnerabilities. I found that I would need to find a way to annul my engagement with the prince. As I met my father's unwavering gaze, I couldn't help but wonder if this decision was yet another step away from the life that once had and towards the enigmatic destiny I was now forging.